“Microsoft’s current approach to Vista desktop search clearly violates the consent decree and limits consumer choice. We are pleased that as a result of Google’s request that the consent decree be enforced, the Department of Justice and state Attorneys General have required Microsoft to make changes to Vista. These remedies are a step in the right direction, but they should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop search providers.”

Asked for more details about what the company would like to see, a Google spokesman said Microsoft should give users a choice of desktop search engines from all search access points on the desktop, and make it easier to disable Windows Vista’s desktop search index.

Under the Tuesday agreement, PC users and hardware manufacturers will be able to change the default desktop search provider in Windows Vista. If the default is changed, the search functions in areas including the Start menu will switch to the designated, non-Microsoft desktop search provider.

However, even if the default search program is changed, Vista’s built-in desktop search still will be used in certain areas, such as search fields embedded in the basic file-browsing windows on the desktop. In those cases, Microsoft agreed to add a nearby link that, if clicked, will then take the user to results from the designated default desktop search provider.

Google’s response notwithstanding, the antitrust status report (PDF, 27 pages) says that the Justice Department and state regulators “are collectively satisfied that this agreement will resolve any issues the complaint may raise under the Final Judgments, provided that Microsoft implements it as promised.”

Microsoft issued this statement from Brad Smith, its general counsel: “We’re pleased we were able to reach an agreement with all the States and the Justice Department that addresses their concerns so that everyone can move forward.”

And Jerry Brown, California’s attorney general, issued this news release, under the headline, “California Attorney General Brown Gets Microsoft to Change Vista.” Said Brown in the release: “This agreement — while not perfect — is a positive step towards greater competition in the software industry. It will enhance the ability of consumers to select the desktop search tool of their choice.”